Hair Loss and Propecia (Finasteride)

Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is caused by the effects of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible hair follicles that are present mainly in the front, top, and crown of the scalp. DHT causes hair loss by shortening the growth, or anagen, phase of the hair cycle, causing decreased size of the follicles. The effected hair becomes progressively shorter and finer until it eventually disappears.

There are other problems that can cause hair loss such as: Hormonal problems, an imbalance caused by an over or under active thyroid gland may make your hair fall out. Also some medicines, especially blood thinners, antidepressants, birth control pills, medicines used to treat cancer, and excessive intake of vitamin A. Also infections could be a cause, such as fungal infections of the scalp.

What are some reasons for male hair loss?

  • Genetics (most common)
  • Stress
  • Physical trauma
  • Medication

    Androgenetic alopecia
    This is by far the commonest cause of hair thinning and loss in adult males. The condition runs in families and has a strong genetic component to its causation. It is believed to be related to an excess of male hormones in the body. Androgenetic alopecia is the cause of over 95% of all pattern hair loss, including baldness in men and thinning hair in women. This occurs in somewhat predictable stages, and is relentlessly progressive. This means that those with pattern loss will eventually progress from the early stages of loss to the advanced stages.

    One hair grows for two to six years. In that time, it grows less than a half an inch per month. The hair may go through a resting phase, but nine out of ten hairs are in the growing stage at one time. When a hair goes into a resting stage, it lasts about three months, then it falls out. A new one begins growing in its place. This cycle of growth and loss is normal, and as long as the hair is replaced as quickly as it is lost, baldness does not occur, this is part of the hair renewal process. The normal growth cycle for hair is 3 to 7 years. Excessive DHT shortens the growth cycle and extends the resting phase. The results are thinning hair, hair loss, no re-growth.

    Treatment for Hair Loss
    Propecia (finasteride), the only FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss. Finasteride interferes with conversion of testosterone to another hormone called dihydro-testosterone (DHT). DHT reduces hair follicle activity. Over time and under the influence of DHT, follicles sprout thinner hairs until no hair regrows. When finasteride blocks DHT production, thinning of hair ceases and a more normal growth occur. Clinical trials conducted on thousands of men have shown that after 2 years of use 66% of men showed increased hair growth. 30% of men showed a slight improvement, 31% moderate improvement and 5% great increase. 83% of men in the trial showed no further hair loss.

     

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